"Business as usual" but locals muzzled

AMHERST â Shoppers is being bought by Loblaws for billions, but the local franchisee and staff arenât being given the option to say a public word about it to the press. A Toronto-based spokesperson for Shoppers, Tammy Smitham, said a request to speak with local people couldnât be fulfilled.

âWeâre not in a position,â said the VP of communications.

The good news is that Smitham offered reassuring comments for customers of the local drug store, which, as part of the Shoppers chain, is being purchased by the grocery chain for $12.4 billion.

âBusiness as usual,â she said.

The points plan program offered by Shoppers, Optimum, will still be in effect, and no store closures are expected. The speaker said she couldnât comment on the purchaseâs effect on jobs but said she didnât expect job losses in the local store as a result.